Good morning. This is not a common topic for a site like NY Nomads, but I figured that as long as I am doing the research and making it easier for people to learn about a subject, heck, I’ll publish it for others to use.

Cadillac Escalade Versus Lincoln Navigator

The reviews are divided as to which is better.

Ultimately these two vehicles are so similar that ultimately it is one’s level of comfort w/ the design, engine, and carry of the vehicle that leads people to favor one over the other. A common thread across many articles is that the Navigator seems to have a roomier interior, despite the two cars measuring similarly externally. The Navigator also offers a more comfortable third row than the Escalade, because the Escalade’s third row rises above the rear wheel, therefore reducing the height within this section.

My recommendation:

Test drive* both vehicles – or better yet, rent each of these for a weekend trip with the family

See how you like driving a larger vehicle & whether the alignment of the various buttons, functions, etc of the car are intuitive to you

Decide whether there is enough space to fit your family + cargo, and think long-term as to how this car will suit everyone as the girls become teenagers)

See how the car carries on the highway, in stop and go traffic, etc.

*Keep in mind that the various models vary in size from 17-19 feet long, so when test driving keep in mind which model you are driving.

How They Are Similar

Truck-based, body-on-frame construction.

Available in extended-wheelbase versions — the Navigator L and the Escalade ESV — that have additional cargo capacity behind the third-row seats.

“While the Escalade outsells the Navigator, Lincoln’s contender is quickly gaining ground. Navigator deliveries have risen 63 percent this year. Last month, each one of the new SUVs lasted on dealer lots an average of just 10 days. The high-end Black Label Navigators — which can top $100,000 — spent only about seven days in showrooms, according to the company.”

Seats – like a recliner built into a seat, but better than a La-Z-Boy because there is a separate thigh adjustment for each leg.

Side bolstering and back and butt functions.

To customize the massager, the lumbar, mid- and upper back regions all have their own setting, with 10 degrees of intensity accessible through the touch screen.

Unlike other luxury massagers, the activation button is on the door panel with the other seat buttons, so it’s magic hands at the push of a button.

Lincoln’s phrase of “perfect position” seats, a $1,500 option, is well worth it

Each of the three third-row seats can be lowered with a push of the button

Third-row passengers are not relegated to third-rate status, because a button reclines their seats as well.

There’s plenty of headroom for two adults to fit back there, too, for when the tweens become teens and start pulling their weight behind the wheel.

Without the power fold option, the second row seats are not as simple to move in the 8-seat configuration

Roomier and more evolved than the Cadillac Escalade

Power running board helps you in and out

Can still fit in most garages, even with roof rails

The 10-inch touch screen is clear and sharp

Took a while to figure out the functions of the steering wheel controls, from adaptive cruise to adjusting the head up display, and how to quickly access the menus in the instrument cluster so you don’t have to bother with the screen.

Cadillac’s system is more intuitive in that regard, but we started to get the hang of it by the end of the week

Most surprising about the Escalade, which barely fit in our two-car suburban garage in both height and length, was that it had less room than the minivans driven by other families. For being this big and this bold, the Escalade is not that large.

Both the Chevy Suburban and the Honda Odyssey minivan have more than double the cargo volume.

Cadillac offers an even bigger Escalade in the stretched ESV version, which is nearly 2 feet longer and costs only $3,000 more.

The extended wheelbase might call for an extended garage, of course, but it makes me wonder why bother with the smaller — less large Escalade.

Since the third row seats are above the rear axle, there isn’t much room back there for an adult.

The seat is higher, so there’s less headroom, and feet and knees are higher than the midrow seats, too. It’s fine for short trips around town, but anything more will tax passengers’ patience.

Remarkably comfortable and quiet on the highway

Voice commands are excellent and Cadillac’s use of vehicle info on both sides of the speedometer render the touch screen — the only small thing in the truck — unnecessary, aside for navigation

Rear camera in the rearview mirror, as well as the split-screen rearview camera in the console, should provide plenty of eyes for when this beast goes into reverse

We are Jen and Sandy, professional nomads in New York City. We live off the urban land and document our findings along the way. We pay no rent, no utilities, and live sustainably off $100/week. Read more about us here.